Although we are unable to establish a firm date in which the following event took place, we can be sure that it was at a time when most people lived religious lives and almost everything they did between birth and death involved the local church or chapel. If however, there was one thing which…Continue Reading “Paddy the Smuggler”
I do swear, that I have not received or had by myself, or any person whatsoever, in trust for me, or for my use or benefit, directly or indirectly, any sum or sums of money, office, place, or employment, gift, or reward, or any promise or security, for any money, office, employment, or gift, in…Continue Reading “The Grampound Potwallopers: Corruption in Georgian Cornwall”
The wreck of the VIKING – March 1872 Harlyn Bay The Arab at Harlyn (Photo: courtesy Malc McCarthy) John Buckingham brings us a real-life sea drama involving the demise of the barque Viking, and the remarkable bravery of the men of the Albert Edward who went to her aid. Here, there is drama in the…Continue Reading “Courage Above and Beyond”
Cornwall’s coast is littered with maritime casualties and in this article Audrey Aylmer (Cares Enesow) of Bude Stratton & District Old Cornwall Society brings us its story of one of these, the Portuguese steamship Belem which was wrecked at Menachurch Point, Northcott Mouth, near Bude. The SS Belem had been launched in 1890…Continue Reading “The Demise of the S S Belem”
Locations derived from the 1840s Tithe map and thought to be the same in 1851. There seems to be more than one possibilities for Butt Lane. I was initially drawn to this case because Silverwell was my home for many years, it was where I was raised and where I spent so many years…Continue Reading “The Silverwell Murder”
The Dairy School at Blackwater in 1916 – local girl Olive James on the left. Dairy Schools were once an important part of rural life: they fulfilled a need and were gone by the 1930s. Considering that, perhaps it is not surprising that few have even heard of their existence. The Technical Instruction Act…Continue Reading “Dairy Schools”